Originally Posted by
bocastephen
I was there 7/21 - the odd thing was the website did not show any bookable 4x4 of any kind for 3 weeks before our pickup, so we ended up reserving at Waikoloa, but the KOA location was able to rebuild our reservation and save us the Uber ride to Waikoloa, so we drove away in a 4 door Wrangler.
If anyone is thinking of driving to the summit of Mauna Kea, make absolutely sure you have a true 4x4 and know how to shift into 4LO because the rangers WILL check both before releasing you for the drive up.
I was always told the rental car companies have policies against going to the summit of Mauna Kea. Is that not the case? Been wanting to go up there since we first came to the island 4 years ago. We've been every summer since and always say "one day we will pay and do a tour up there"